Ki Jai Kirtan: Opening the Heart

Kirtan is devotion. Kirtan is singing to the divine. As we open our hearts to sing in devotion, we experience the sweetness of the divine in us. “It”’ becomes real – our beloved is present, right inside and around us, plain as day, listening, dancing, and celebrating! The mantras and sounds of Kirtan chants stir and awaken spiritual qualities in us, and the energy lifts us above the mind, where thoughts can’t seem to reach us. Worry and stress slide off, we touch the divine within us and sit with it. The divine takes us. We feel her hold us in her arms for a while.

Different qualities of the divine are invoked by different mantras and chants. Singing to the deities by name – Shiva, Krishna, Ram, Hanuman, Sita, Radha, Parvati, Kali, on and on – we call out and awaken their spirit in us. The beauty of our being—the entire jewel—sparkles. This beauty reminds us who we are, shows us the nature of our true self – the awe of endless beauty.

Bhakti Yoga, the path of devotion, is the journey to find love – first finding the beloved within our own hearts and then finding the beloved in all things and people – and realizing there is no me, you or the other. There is a weekly Ki Jai Kirtan Circle in Alhaurin el Grande. No previous experience is necessary, nor a ‘good’ singing voice or any other techniques or talents. Just a willingness to be really present, open up your heart and go with the divine flow! The chants are accompanied by harmonium, and there are some percussion instruments available, if you feel like drumming.